Sharks in Sochi: How Pavelski, Marleau, Vlasic and Niemi fared

Roundup of news and game schedules for the four San Jose Shark players at Sochi 2014 after Saturday's bronze medal game and Canada's practice before its gold medal game Sunday.

ANTTI NIEMI: He served as backup goalie for Team Finland in the 5-0 triumph over Team USA for the bronze medal. Although he did not play a minute in the tournament, Niemi could not have been more excited as he spoke with the bronze medal wrapped around his neck. "It was great," he said, "just the experience of being part of a great team and battling the bigger countries and bigger teams." So if he'd known what his role would be in advance, he'd still have accepted the spot on the roster? "Sure," he replied. "Just to be part of the Olympics is worth it. And now, getting a medal, it's even better."

Next: Sharks play at Philadelphia on Thursday.

JOE PAVELSKI: Along with most of his American teammates, he seemed a little stunned by the bronze medal loss. Four years ago, the USA had defeated Finland 6-1 in an Olympic quarterfinal at Vancouver. If this was revenge, the Finns succeeded. Pavelski's line, so effective early in the tournament with Phil Kessel and James van Riemsdyk, could produce nothing for the second straight game. "It's hard to say what happened, exactly, until you look at the film," Pavelski said. It didn't help that Van Riemsdyk sustained an apparent hand injury in the first period and took just four shifts the rest of the way, forcing Pavelski to shuffle in with different combinations. He ended the tournament with five points, tying him for the team's second-leading scorer.

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Four years from now, at age 33, will he back? Yes, if asked, he said. But this loss will surely stick with him a while.

Next: Sharks play at Philadelphia on Thursday.

PATRICK MARLEAU: Practiced with Team Canada for Sunday's gold medal game against Sweden. Marleau has checked his ego at the rink door and concentrated first on defense as the team has advanced to the Olympic finals. Mike Babcock, Canada's coach, spoke in general about how he's been able to convince his players to do that: "They want to win. It is real simple and sometimes I think we get confused. It's not about who scores the goals or who blocks the shots or who plays. It is about winning. It is about Canada and hockey supremacy." Yeah, guess that guy could fire up a team.

MARC-EDOUARD VLASIC: He also practiced with Team Canada. This is his first Olympics -- unlike Marleau, who won a gold medal in Vancouver -- so Vlasic is very excited to participate in Sunday's game. Said Vlasic of what it would mean to be an Olympic champion: "That's all Canada wants, that's all we want -- to win a gold medal."